Grid trimmer



May 8, 1945.

H. c. WINKEL GRID TRIMMER Filed Jan. 18, 1943 5 sheets-sheet 1 MMaY 8, 1945 H. c. WINKEL 2,375,717

' GRID TRIMMER f Fned Jan. 1s, 194s 5 sheets-sham s m/ l v a.. vll f Hlnmw. mw @n Sw bx m I-- -H wwwmwwwnwmmwz r-- w W i G1111) .TRIMMER Filed Jan. 18.1943

' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 8, 1945.

H. c j WINKEL GRID TRIMMER 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. l, 1943 Patented May 8, 1.945

.UNITE-o STATES. PATENT ePrice Garn-'mummia )Herbert o. Winkel, Maywood, In. Application `.1:n1i1aw1lzz, 194s, Iserial .412,133

Momma (cinici-22) This invention relates'to 1.a `.press forztrim- :ming `olf. iexcess orfvvaste metal from gridsfor storage 'batteries. n

Grids `for :storage batteries `3are `ordinarily -castfrom `lead or :lead alloys. .Totrim ofhexcess '.inetalfrom the castings, .apparatus has .heretoit :is released from :the 'ton-gs.

` fore .been proposedwwhichinvolved la :pusher member `for .sliding lout -the lowermost .grid from an `inclined staclcof grids, :and .air i operated 4tongs to seizeithe .grid"when.it had :been :slid out,

to swing 'the "grid through `an .arc .of 9.09, fand l move it to a positionaboveia trimming die Where erating withv the `die is then moved nto trim the grid plate @onthei die. `Because of the .softness i ci material `and the ,irregularity of contour of the grid `plates, and the lcomplex and .delicate i ladjustments required to maintain the machine operative, `the :machine `is not. `entirely `satisfacitory `1notvvithstanding .its :relatively great cost.

apparatus, and tomove the grids :in proper tixnedl relation rto and :from #the shearing apparatus.

.A furtherrobject of 'my-inventionis "to .provide improvedmeans for :removing :grid plates from an `assembly `of :juxtaposed plates and deliver` them one at ia time `to a conveyor 'onwhieh they are carried edgewise into shearing :position `with.

` respect to `theshearing apparatus.`

z my `invention .is shown, i p Figurel is ia perspective View .from `an upper A furtherl object of inynvention is to provide improved `means for` `giving the plates 'a step :by step, edgewise :movement in'toyandnout of shearing position, `-v/ithoui, interfering `with :the con` tinuous reciprocation of the shear.`

.Further .objects and advantages of the inven tion will in* part. be :described hereinafter, and .A

.in `part will `.befdeiiried in the claims.` i an `lembodirirent. .of

` In the drawings, .in which front rightfhand position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of from an "upper frontfleft-hand position;`

Fig. 3 vis a `right-.hand side elevational view of the apparatus; i.

l Fig. 4 is afront elevationof the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is `a "section 5--5 OfFgfB; i

the apparatus substantially on the line A .shearfcoop- .Fig 27 is a substantially Ivertical sectional fview .on the .line T-'I of Fg.`6; i i

IFig. .8 `fis .a plan View .of A.the :shearing blades.;

Fig. :e9 :bis :a .plan view lof the .shearing ldie; .and

the .gridieis installedwin a battery; `and inthe .cast grid `plate` .l .the grids `are arranged with the zears 2 (Fig. A) extending :laterally fromiopposite edgesof. the plate.

In accordance with 'the presentinvention, 1I provide a nove] arrangement of :apparatus `for `'engaging the sears :of :the

.gridxplates .toremovefthemone 4at a Stime` from `arrangement :in "face :to lface" position, and dejliver athem to ia stepfby :step carrier i or conveyor' 3.

The conveyor il .carries `them fedgewise .into and out .of. Aalignment with .a continuously .operiitn .ing shear i4 for :a shearing 1er trimming, operation without .interfering with the faction of :the

shear. i

As `ishown in Figs. 1,2, and 3., the apparatus Vpeomprisespa rectangular'box support `or. `base .5 having atopxsurface 6 .inclined upwardly. from .one tend thereof `to `a. `short `distance from the other end. .At the lower vend of :the inclined top .-surfaceazpair of rack members? spaced adistance somewhat greater than the Width `of a grid 'plate exclusive of the ears, :and inclined downwardly towards the box .support or base 5 .are .supported .by brackets 8. .A 'number .of grid plates I .are supported `1 insubstantially 'verticalpositicn bythe rack members Twithwthe stop 'la at .the `lower .end'lof the rack by, *.the slope ofthe rack members. x i

` Apair @flirting rotor members 9 .are mounted .ton a Vshaftlil journalled .in the` box support Aor 'base Ai5, fiandzare .positionedto rotate just .inside -therack .members 1 .Qsee Fig. 14).. IIThe rotors "9 `:are .provided with .shoulder portions l lwon their periphery for engaging beneath the .ears .2 :of

the lovvermost grid plate fl on `lthe rack :mem-

cwis avertical sectional vievvf:showing the .shearing .apparatus and associated parts turned. As shown.in.;1f"igs. .1, 2,` andrthe lportions I2 .of the :rotors immediatelyffollowiigxthe I .shoulders H will `bear :against the` ears-2.1of "the next succeeding plate; sothat theplate will not least grid plates slide down prematurely. The stops 'la prevent the grid from bearing against the lifting rotors 9, and are adjustable to operate with grids of different thicknesses. This construction insures smooth withdrawal of the plate engaged by the shoulders II.

A pair of guide members I3 (see Fig. 1) mounted on the box support or base 5 engage the lower portion of the plate I carried by the rotors d, and cause the plate to turn to position at an angle to the vertical and approaching a portion parallel to surface 6 as its upper portion is carried forward by the rotors. Upwardly extending cheek plates I4 fixed to the inclined tcp surface 6 engage the ears 2 of the grid plate l as it is carried by the rotors 3 to center the gridpla'te I. v

A step by step conveyor 3 comprising a pair of feed chains I5 provided with feed pins I6 ispositioned vwith the pins at its lower end disposed to engage the ears 2 of a grid plate I as the plate is carried forward by the rotor members 6.

lfeed chains I5 run over sprocket I'l rotatably mounted on shaft I and sprocket IB mounted on shaft Ia, which is journalled in base 5, and

the upper flights of the chains I move upwardly along the inclined surface 6 of the box support or base 5 ofthe apparatus. Guide members I9 supported above the chains I5 by brackets 2li are pressed downwardly by means of springs 2l andserve to prevent the ears 2 of the grid plates Ifrom bouncing out of engagement with the feed pins I6. The grid plate l is slid up along a smooth surface 22 parallel to and slightly. above theinclined surface 6 of the box support 5 by the action of the feed pins I6 on the ears 2 of the grid plate I, and is maintained in contact with the feed pins I6 in a determined position on the conveyor 3 by the force of gravity and the i drag of the body portion of the grid plate I onthe surface 22.

A die 23 and the shear 4 (see Figs. 6 and 7) are disposed in the path along which the grid plate I is carried by the conveyor 3, with the die 23 substantially. in line with the inclined surface 22 on which the body of the grid plate` I is moved, and with the shear 4 mounted for cooperative relation with the die 23 in a reciprocable shear head 24 which is reciprocable on shafts 25 secured to the die plate 23. As shown in Figs. 8, 9, and l0, the die 23 has an outline corresponding to theoutline to which the grid plate I is to be trimmed, and the shear 4 is complementary to the die. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the shear 4 comprises a straightshearing edge 26 to trim the leading portion of the grid plate I, a second straight shearing edge 21 to trim the lower portion of the grid plate I, and shaped shearing edges 28 to trim thesides of the grid plate I. The forward ends 29 of the side shearing members 28 are spaced a distance from the rst mentioned shearing edge 26 corresponding to the width of the ears 2, and terminate at the sides at positions spaced inwardly yfrom the chains I5 and pins I6, so that when the shear 4 is moved to trim a grid plate I, the flrst mentioned shearing member 26 and the ends 29 of the side shearing members 28 come down at the sides of the ears 2, but do not interfere with the relationship between the ears 2 and the feed chains I5. The shearing edges 26, 21, and 28 trim the grid plate almost alll the way around in one operation.

Suitably, the edges of the shearing members 26, 21, and 23 are at a slight angle to the line of movement of the shear 4, i. e., have leading portions 23a, as shown particularly in Fig. 10, which cut and enter the grid plate first so that shearing action is obtained, rather than a tearing action. Also, it is found these shearing members prevent excessive jolting of the die.

As shown in Figs, 6 and 7, the shearing head 24 is provided with positioning fingers 30 and 3|, which engage the ears 2 of a grid plate I in order to locate it accurately for the trimming action of the shear 4. Also, a stripper-'plate 32 supported by bolts 33 projecting through holes 34 inthe shear head 24 and lock nuts 35 on the bolts 33 and pressed downwardly by means of springs 36, is mounted in a recess 3'I of the shearing head 24 and operates to strip the trimmed grid plate I from the shear 4 when the shearing head 24 is raised on completion of the operation. Slots 38 are provided adjacent the edges of the die member 23, into which the material trimmed from the grid plate I falls, and through which it is discharged onto a chute 39.

A suitable timing connection, described hereinafter, is provided to drive the shear 4 in timed relation to the movement of the conveyor 3.

Upwardly inclined guide members 40 are provided adjacent the upper end of the surface 3 of the box support or base 5 in the path of the conveyor 3, and are formed in position as shown best in Fig. 3 to engage underneath the ears of a grid plate I carried by the conveyor 3 to lift the ears 2 out of contact with the conveyor 3. As the ears are lifted by members v40, the rear portion of the grid plate I slides down a downwardly inclined portion 22a of the surface 22, so that the grid plate I approaches a vertical position. The grid plate I is moved over the forward end of the guide members 40 by the momentum given it by the feed pins I6 of the conveyor 3, and` bumps against the stop-4I. The ears of the grid plate I then slip down through the space between the members 40 and 4I u ntil they rest on a second conveyor -42 which is driven at a slow rate of speed. Conveyor 42 is mounted at vone end on 'sprocket wheels 42a which are rotatably supported 'on shaft Ita, and at the other end on sprockets 42h. vThe upper flight of conveyor 42 slides on -track 42e.'l The grid plate I travels the length of the second conveyor 42 and is brought up againststops 43at the far y end of the conveyor, where` further movement of the grid plate I is preventedand the second conveyor 42 slides underneath the ears 2 ofthe grid plate I. Subsequently trimmed grid plates I are carried by the second conveyor 42 to a position in close engagement with previously treatn ed grid plates I.

Referring now particularly to Figs. l to 5, the timing drive device shown comprises a motor 44 located within the box support or base 5, which drives a speed reducer 45 by means of a pulley 46 running between a pulley wheel 4l on the motor 44 and a pulley wheel 48 on the speed reducer 45. A spur gear 49 of the speed reducer 45 drives a cooperating spur gear 5) mounted et T52 mounted on thershaft i5 I .iforrotation @therespur gear 51 on the rotorhshait 1ML. .i l

Thefstep by step conveyor `3 isidriven Lfrom the first mentioned gear f5!) through `a gear 58 e 12,315,717 e "on-a shaft 5l journalledin the basef5. `ri'sproclitrimming operation, and .has .provided apparatus mounted on a shaft "59 journalled inthe =b`ox 1 support or base 5, and meshing with-,spurgea-r "50, `acrank disk fB (seeiig.` 2) mounted yonthe shaft -59 for rotation therewith, and a ratchet drive 6| reciprocated by aconnectingorod V62e `which is pivotally `connected `at one end ito .a .pin

t3 carried *by the "crank disk E0 `and pivotally connected Vat its other` end toma -pin Glicarried `by the ratchet drive "device 61. The ratchet drive deviceil, as itis reciprocated, rotates shaft IBa journalled `in the base 5 ofi-the apparatus while it is movingforward, but slips on said shaftvla `when it is `moved backward, thus `providing a #periodic forward rotation ci the `shaft 18a.

Sprocket wheels -|8 lsupporting `they-,forward end of the` conveyor feed 'chains I5 arexedl on this shaft ,l8awand rotatable therewith, `so l that the `feed `chains I5 are moved step by step at a rate `determined -by the speed Vofvthe motor 4M, and hence in timed relation to the trotorsdil;V 'Suits ably, aspring pressed brake 65 isprovided engaging a brake Vdrum 66 fixed `to the 'end ofthe shaft 18a opposite 'the ratchet `drive 61 in order to prevent "overrunning of the feed chains 15.'

A `pulley member B1 is mounted',` on the end of shaft 59 opposite to the crank disk '60 for rotation therewith and operates throughua twisted belt' to drive a second'pulley-vvheel' mounted on shaft journalled in standards li` which `support the track 42o. Gear "1'2 rotatable with shaft '10 `operateslthrougha gear train 'compris- "ing 'pairs lof stud gears 13 and "111;` and "15 'and `16, and the gear 'Il mounted 'on shafts `i8, 19, `and 8D, Irespectivelyyto drivesprockets '42h and `move the second conveyor jchains 42 on `which .the trimmed grid plates l 'are deposited;v

The shearing head 24 is `reciprocaited `Tby connecting rods 81 pivotally connected Sto `pins .32 on crank disks83 fixed to each end of the shaft "51 on which the gear -50 is mounted, the other ends of the connecting rods 81| being'connected by pins `84 mounted "at 85 lin the shearing head 24. Thecrank discs 83 rotate at a fixed rate with respect tothe rotors 9 andconveyor 3, and the shearing head" 24 thustreciprocates onshafts 25 in timed relation to the rotors 9 and conveyor. `il.

It will `te apparent fromthe `foregoing that the singlemotor 4'4 drives the 'rotors '9, theshearing head l'24, andthe step "bystep conveyor 3,

`so that each `of jthern moves inV timed `relation to each Aof the others.' Because of thistimedv rey'1ation,the feed `pins `H5 ofthe step `bystep conveyor 3 engage the ears"2 `of the 'gridplate I `such `pick--up `by the rotors `9, the step by step `conveyor 3 moves thegrid plate kI to position for trimming bythe shear`4 `during the'timethe shear `4 is out -of 'the path of the grid plate i, and the shear -4 is moved `downto cooperate `with the die 23l to trim the -gr-id plate `I whilelthe step -bystep conveyor 3 is stationaryV By`^this` relatively `simple mechanism, applicant has climi-f plates which` have `two ears laterally extending i at `the Aprecise moment 'that it is positionedior y lwhi'chcan be operated `at :high speedxto give .ac-e curate trimming ofegrid plates.` p "1 1 "It will be .apparent that numerousmodifical tions may vbe `madein the :apparatuslof my fin- .ventionwithout departing from fthe spirit `there of, and .accordingly it isto beunderstood that theinvention is `not limited to the details `of the `.apparatus `disc1osed,2but includes all :structures "which as .a `matter `oi llanguagetmaywbe .held to come `within the scope .of the appended-claims.

.Iclaim2 i i 21. .Apparatus .for `trimming the edges i of :grid

platesp Which-.comprisesia step by `step conveyor e movable in an upwardly `inclined path .for fadfvancingagrid Yplate periodically in lthedirection' "of :one .ofitsedges in la predetermined .position `relative to said. conveyor, a die and a shear co- ,e `operative to trim a `grid `plate moved bysaid conveyonand means `operating said lconveyorand shear in ltimed relation so that the conveyor .moves agrid plate to position forshearing when v the shear is out ofthe path ofthe gridplatesand `doessnot move :the grid plate during :the shearing operation.

2. Apparatus for trimming the edges oflgrid plates,` which comprises a conveyor periodically movable stepby step iin an upwardly inclined path,"1 members on said i conveyor to engage. a yfor- Wardportijon of a grid "plate and move it edgegwise in a predetermined position on said conf veyor so that the weight of `said i grid plate `in its inclined vposition `holds it firmly against said members, a die `and a reciprocating shearinthe separated,A and operate the shear to trim the grid `while the conveyor is stationary; l

`3.\Apparatus for trimmingthe edgesof grid vplates whichfhave `.two `ears laterally-extending "from-'opposite edges, comprising a conveyor pe` riodically movablestepby step in anv upwardly .inclined path; members on said conveyor dis` posedto engage` the learsof a grid plate tomove it 'edgewise with the ears :at the forward portion ina predetermined position on said `conveyor `so y that the weight of said grid plate in its inclined position `holds it iirmly` Vagainst said members, a die and a reciprocating shear `movable inalpath normal tothe path offsaidconveyorg said shear -and;die being "formed for cooperative operation to trim a grid `plate without finterferingwith `the `relation "between the ears and ear-engaging fmembers of `said conveyor, and means operating said conveyor and shear in timed` relation to `move the` conveyor forward to place the grid plate 1n alignment with the shear and die while `1 Ythe shear andfdie are separated, and `to operate the shear Vto trim'tlie grid while the conveyor is e stationary.`

4; Apparatus. for trimming the edges of "grid from opposite edges, comprising a conveyor peri`- -odically movable `step by step in anupwardly inclined path, `members on said conveyor dis4` posedtoengage the ears ofla gridplate to -move it/edgewise With the earsat the forward portion in a predetermined `position on said conveyor so `:hated:independently operatedmechanisms in the i i i lrotor member and hold it in a normal to the path of said'conveyonsaid shear having openings in positions corresponding to the ears of the grid-plate and being formed for cooperative operation with said die to trim a grid,k plate without interfering ywith the rela- .i tion between the ears and ear-engaging members of'` said conveyor,and means operating said conveyor and shear in timed relation to move the conveyor forward to place the grid plate in alignment with the shear and die while the shear andf die are separated, and to operate the shear to trim thel grid while the conveyor is stationary. 5. Apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending smooth surface between said parallel y portions onn which the body of the grid plate is sldable, feed pins on said traveling portions disposed to engage the ears of a grid plate and slide it edgewise on said surface with the ears at the forward portion in a predetermined position on said conveyor so upwardly and forwardly by said rotor member and move -it edgewise with the ears at the 4forward portion in a predetermined position on said conveyor so that the weight of said grid plate in its inclined position holds it firmly against` said members, andmeans for movingsaid conveyor step by step in timed relation to said rotor to move the ear-engaging members, into operative relation with the ears of a grid plate when the grid plate has been carried forward and upward by the rotor.

9. Apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates whichhave two ears laterally extending from opposite edges, comprising a rack supporting grid plates in face to face, substantially vertical relation, a rotor member, shoulders formed about the periphery of said rotor for engagement with the ears of the end grid plate on said rack to lift it and carry it forward, a conveyor periodically movable step by step in an upwardly inthat the weight of said grid plate in its inclined position holds it firmly against said members, a die and a reciprocating shear movable in a path normal to the path of said conveyor, said shear being formed for cooperative operation `with said i die toV trim a grid plate and having openings to avoid interfering with the relation between the ears and the feed pins of said conveyor, and

`means operating said reciprocating shear and conveyor in timed relation to said shear to move the conveyor forward to place the grid plate in alignment with the shear and die while the shear and die are separated, and to operate the shear to trim the grid while the conveyor is stationary.

6. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears la-terally extending from opposite edges, a rotor member lto lift and carry forward one grid plate from an assembly of plates, a conveyor periodically movable step b y step, and members on said conveyor movable with the conveyor to engage the Years of a grid plate when` said grid plate-has been Vcarried upwardly and forwardly by said rotor member to remove it from engagement with the position on said conveyor.A f

'7. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have twoy ears laterally extending from opposite edges, a rotor member, means on the rotor member to engage the ears of a grid plate to lift it and carry it forward from an assembly of plates, a conveyor periodically movable step by step, members movable with the conveyor to engage the ears of a grid plate when said grid plate has been carried upwardly and forwardly by said rotor member to remove it from engagement with the rotor member and move it edgewise in a predetermined position on said conveyor, a die, and a reciprocating shear cooperative to trim a grid `plate carried by said conveyor, and means operating said rotor and conveyor and shear in timed relation.

8. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of lgrid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges, a rack-supporting grid plates face to face, a rotor member, shoulders formed about the periphery of vsaid rotor for engagement withthe ears of the end grid plate Ion said rack to lift it and carry it forward, a `conveyor periodically movable step by step in predetermined clined path, members movable with the conveyor to engage the ears of a grid plate when position holds it firmly against said memberspa' die and a reciprocating shear movable in a path normal to the path of said conveyor, said shear and die being formed for cooperative operation to trim a grid plate without interfering with the relation between the ears and the ear-engaging members of said conveyor, and means oper- A ating said rotor and said reciprocating shear at constant predetermined relative, speed, and movingsaid conveyor step by step intimed relation to said rotor and shear to move the ear-engag` ing members into operative relation with the ears of a grid plate when the grid plate has been carried forward and upward by the rotor, to move the Conveyor forward to place the grid plate in alignment with the shear and die while the shear and'die are separated, and to operate the shear to trim thefgrid While the conveyor is stationary.

10. Apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which 'have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges'comprising an inclined rack supporting grid plates bytheir ears in face to face, substantially vertically relation, a rotor niember,'shoulders formed about the periphery of said rotor for engagement with the ears of the lowerrnost grid plate on said rack to lift it and carry it forward, a guide member for engaging alower portion of the grid to turn the grid to an angle to the Vertical when the grid is carried forwardly, a conveyor periodically movable step by step in an upwardly inclined path, feed pins carried by said conveyor to engage the ears of a grid plate vwhen said plate has been carried upwardly and forwardly by said roto-r member and move'it edgewise in a predetermined position on said conveyor so that the weight of said grid plate in its alined position holds it firmlyvagainst said members, a die Aand a reciprocating shear movable in a path normal to the path of said conveyor, said shear and die being formed for cooperative operation to trim `a grid plate without interfering with the relation between the ears and the feed pins ofvsaid conveyor, and means operating said rotorand said 4reci?lcatingff shear at constantV predetermined .relative speedaandmovingysaid conveyor i stepiby step in timedrelation to saidrotor and' shear to moveithefeedfpins intooperative rela-i tion with the` ears ofi ang-ridi plate when the grid plate: has been` carried forward and upwardV by the l rotorpto `move the conveyor forward` to place theggrdvplate` ini alignment wthi the shear and die` while the shear and die are separated,` and to operate the shear to trim the` gridfwhilethe ,Y

conveyor is stationary; f

`11.` Apparatus; fortrimming the,V edges of` grid plates which` have twowears laterally` extending from:` opposite edges,` comprising inclined" rack members to` support grid plates in lface to face.,`

substantially verticalpositionby said ears, arotor memberlgshoulders formed about thewperiphery of said rotor for engagement with; the ears of the lowermost grid plate on the rack membersto raise it from the rack membersand to carry `it upwardly andforwardlyias therotor turns,` a guide memberfor engaging` the `lower portion of` the grid,` plate to turnthe grid pla-te to an angle to the ,vertical when the grid plate islcarried` forwardly, a conveyor` periodically movable step by step: in` an. upwardlyr inclined path, said@ conveyor' ,comprising parallel traveling portions spaced a distance atleast equal` tothe grid` plate exclusive of theears,` a smooth surface between said parallel portionsz on `which thefbody` of theV grid plate in` its inclined position holds it Qrmly against i said members,` a die., andV a reciprocating shear in the pathhonsaidV conveyor, said shear being formed for cooperation with` said die to trim a grid plate without interfering withthe relation between the ears of said plateand `the earengaging members of said conveyor,smeans op` erating said rotor and said reciprocatingV shear memberson said traveling portions disposed to engage the ears of a grid platewhen said` grid plate has been carried upwardly and forwardly by said rotor mem-ber to remove it from engagement with the rotor member and slide itedgewise in a `pre-- determined position on said conveyor so that the weight of saidgridlplate in its inclined position holds it firmly against said members, a die and aireciprocating shear movable in a pathnormal to the path of said conveyor, said shear having openings in positions corresponding tothe ears of` the grid plateand being formed for cooperation with said die totrim a grid plate without interfering with the relation betweenl the ears of said plate and the ear-engaging members of saidl conveyor, means operatingsaid rotor and said reciprocating shear at constant predetermined; relative speed, and a drive moving said conveyor step by step in timed relation to` said,` rotor and shear `to move the ear-engaging inem-a bers into operative relation with the ears of 1a grid plate when the grid plate has been carried upward and forwardby the rotor, to move the' from opposite edges, comprising inclinedracl;` membersto support grid plates in face to face.`

4at constantl predetermined relative speed, and a drive moving. said conveyor step bystep in timed relation to` said rotorand shear to move` the ear-V engaging members into operative relation `with the ears of a grid` plate when the grid plate has been carried upward and forward by the rotor y to move the 'conveyor forwardfto place the grid plate in alignment with the shear and die while the shear` and ,dieare separatedpandto hold the theshear operates tol conveyor stationary while trim the gridplatc. i i

1-2. `Apparatus for trimming the edges of. grid plates which have two* earslaterally extending from opposite edges, comprising inclined rack `members to support grid plates in ,face to face.`

substantially vertical position byr said ears, a4 rotor member, shoulders formed about the periphery ofr said rotor for engagement with the ears` of` said lowermostgrid plate to raise it from. theramk` members and to carryitupwardly and forwardly g as the rotorturns, a guide member `for engaging the lower portion ofthe grid plate to turn the grid plate to an angle tothe vertical when the grid plate is carried forwardly, a conveyor ,periodically movable stepb'y step in an upwardly inclined path, said conveyor comprising parallel;

traveling Vportions spaced a distance at least equal to the` griduplate exclusive `of `the'ears,` a smooth surface` between `said parallel portions conveyor forward to place the grid plate in` align ment with the shear and die while the shear and' die are separated, and to'holdthe conveyor stationary while the shear operates to trim the grid plate. i

13. Apparatus for trimming the` edges of grid plates `which have two ears laterally extending substantially vertical positionby said ears, rotor members, shoulders formed about the periphery of said rotors for engagement with the ears: off l said lowerniost grid plate to raiseit from the rack` members and to carry it upwardly and `forwardlyas the rotors turn, a` guide member `for engaging?- the lower `portion of the grid plate: to turn' the gridplatetoan angle to the vertical when the `gridplate is carried forwardly, aV conveyor peri-4 clined path, said conveyor comprising parallel traveling portions spaced a distance at least equa-1i to the grid" plateexclusive of the ears, a smooth. surface between said parallel portions on which, the body of the grid plate is slidable; members` on said traveling portions disposed to engage the 1 ears of a grid` plate when said grid plate 'has been carried` upwardly and forwardly by saidroton member to remove it from engagement with, the

rotor member and slide it edgewise in a prede-` termined'position on said surface so that @the weight of said grid plate in its inclined position holds it firmly against said members, a `die and a reciprocating shear movablein a path normalto the path of said conveyor, said shear having openings in positions corresponding tothe ears; of the grid plate, and 'beingformed` for coopera-` tion with said die to trim a gridplate without in-` terfering` with the relation between` the *earsand the ear-engaging members of said conveyor means operating said rotor and said reciprocating shearl at econstant predetermined relative speed,

and a drive moving said conveyor step bystep in timed relation to said rotor and shear to ,move the ear-engaging members into operative relation with the earsof a gridplate when the grid `plate has been carried upward` and forward by therotor, towmove the conveyor forward to'place-the grid plate in alignment withthe shear andrdie while the shear and die are separated, and `to, hold the `conveyor, stationary` while the shear `operates to trim the grid-plate; an upwardly inonwhichthe body of the grid .platen sudabia clined guide in the path of the conveyor forward of lthe shear and die, said guide being formedl second conveyor to assemble the grid plates in face to face relation.

14. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges thereof, a die and a shear mounted for reciprocation at right angles to the plane formed by the edges of the die, the edges of said shear being formed with alternatively 4leading and trailing portions thereof, the portions of said edges between said leading and trailing portions being angularly disposed with respect to the plane formed by the edges of the die. 4

15. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates, means for enabling an assembly of substantially vertically disposed juxtaposed plates to be fed forwardly, an endless conveyor having a step-by-step belt-like movement, means for successively removing the advance plate of said assembly from said assembly and placing it in position to be advanced edgewise step by step by said conveyor, anda reciprocating shear cooperative to trim the grid plate carried by said conveyor, said conveyor having positioning means engageable with the plates carried thereby for aligning them with respect to the shear.

16. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates, an endless conveyor having a stepby-step belt-like movement and having means for engaging a plate and moving it edgewise step by step, a reciprocating shear cooperative to trim a grid plate carried by said conveyor, a second endless conveyor having a belt-like movement, and means for transferring said plates after being trimmed from said rst conveyor to 'said second conveyor and placing them in assembled, substantially vertically-disposed juxtaposed relatio'n to be advanced by said second conveyor, the axes of said endless conveyors being substantially parallel.

1'7. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates, means for feeding an assembly of substantially vertically disposed juxtaposed plates forwardly, an endless conveyor having a step-bystep movement, means for successively removing the advance plate of said assembly from said assembly and placing it in position to be advanced edgewise step by step Aby said conveyor, a reciprocating shear cooperative to trim the grid plate carried by said conveyor, a second endless conveyor, and means for transferring said plates after being trimmed from said rstconveyor to said assembly from said assembly and placing it in position to be advanced edgewise step by step by said conveyor by engagement with said ears, and a reciprocating shear cooperative to trim the grid plate carried by said conveyor.

19. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges, an endless conveyor having a step-by-step movement and having means for engaging the ears of a plate and moving it edgewise step by step, a reciprocating shear cooperative to trim a grid plate carried by said conveyor, a second endless conveyor, and means for transferring said plates after being trimmed from said conveyor to said second conveyor`andV placing them in assembled, substantially verticallydisposed Ajuxtaposed relation to be advanced by said second conveyor and placing them in asseml bled, substantially vertically-disposed juxtaposed relation to be advanced by said second conveyor.

18. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges, means for enabling an assembly of substantially vertically disposed juxtaposed plates to be fed forwardly, an endless conveyor having a step-by-step-movement, means for successively removing the advance plate of said second conveyor by engagement with said ears.

20. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges thereof, a die and a reciprocating shear formed for cooperation with said die, an endless conveyor for carryingl a plate edgewise in position for trimming said'conveyor comprising two chainsA adjacent opposite side edges of the plate, respectively, having driving means for engaging said ears, said lshearcomprising shear means for trimming both side edges of the plate in the rear of said laterally-extending ears.

21. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges thereof, a die and a reciprocating shear formed for cooperation with said die, an endless conveyor for carrying a plate edgewise in position for trimming said conveyor comprising two chains 'adjacent opposite side edges of the plate, respectively, having driving means for engaging said ears, said shear comprising shear means for trimming both side edges of the plate in the rear of said laterally-extending for engaging said ears, said lshear comprising shear means for trimming both side edges ofthe plate in thevrear of said laterally-extending ears, said side trimming shear means operating in the space between said drive means and the adjacent edge of the die in the trimming operation.

23. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have two ears laterally extending from opposite edges thereof, a die and a reciprocating shear formed for cooperation with said die, a conveyor for carrying a plate edgewise in position for trimming said conveyor comprising two propelling members adjacent opposite side edges of the plate, respectviely, having drive means for engaging said ears, said shear comprising shear means for trimming both side edges of the plate in therear of said laterally-extending ears.

24. In an apparatus for trimming the edges of grid plates which have vtwo ears laterally extending from opposite edges thereof, a die anda ing shear `means for trimming both side edges of the plate in the rear of said laterally-extending ears, said side trimming shear means operating in the space between said drive means and the adjacent edge of the die in the trimming operai 5 tion.

n HERBERT C. WINKEL. 

